Long distance communication in the human brain: timing constraints for inter-hemispheric synchrony and the origin of brain lateralization

Abstract

Analysis of corpus callosum fiber composition reveals that inter-hemispheric transmission time may put constraints on the development of inter-hemispheric synchronic ensembles, especially in species with large brains like humans. In order to overcome this limitation, a subset of large-diameter callosal fibers are specialized for fast inter-hemispheric transmission, particularly in large-brained species. Nevertheless, the constraints on fast inter-hemispheric communication in large-brained species can somehow contribute to the development of ipsilateral, intrahemispheric networks, which might promote the development of brain lateralization.

Keywords

• axon
• brain lateralization
• corpus callosum
• inter-hemispheric transfer
• synchrony
• vision